Your destiny is now in your own hands

If you are in your 50s or 60s, your thoughts are probably turning towards retirement. When should you retire? How much money do you need?

‘Top 5’ list of planning areas

Making sure you use up any allowances you are entitled to is the first step to reducing the amount of tax you may be liable to pay. We’ve provided our ‘Top 5’ list of planning areas to consider before 5 April 2020, the end of the 2019/20 tax year. The rates given are correct for the 2019/20 tax year.

Today, you’ve got a number of options and permutations available when it comes to what to do with your pension in retirement. But lots of choice can also mean increased confusion.

Turning on the taps for an extra income stream to help you realise your ambitions

The best time to start investing was 20 years ago. The second best time to start investing is now. But as you have been building up your investment wealth over the decades, in all likelihood you’ve probably pursued growth above all else, looking to maximising the value of your savings.

Don’t miss out on this little-known tax rule

For those parents who have spare cash, putting money into their children’s pension will boost the retirement prospects of their offspring. The money will be topped up by the addition of tax relief and could also earn their children a tax refund if they are higher-rate taxpayers and reduce the penalty they face if they are a higher earner receiving child benefit.